Grindeks fund “For the Support of Science and Education” in cooperation with LAS awards scientists with “Golden Owls” and “Silver Owls”

Today, on 8 November, within the framework of the World Science Day, JSC Grindeks fund “For the Support of Science and Education” in cooperation with Latvian Academy of Sciences are honouring the scientists of Latvia. On this day, the prominent and best young scientists of Latvia are praised and awarded with “Golden Owls” and “Silver Owls”. The World Science Day, devoted to peace and development, is celebrated on 10 November.

Three “Golden Owls” are presented for outstanding achievements in science, awarding each of the laureate with the monetary prize of 1200 lats. For the significant contribution to the Latvian science as well as for educating the new organic and medical chemistry industry specialists, this year the “Golden Owl” will be presented to academic, the professor of RTU Dr.habil.chem. Raimonds Valters. The prestigious “Golden Owl” is also given to LAS corresponding member, the professor of LU Dr.sc.comp. Guntis Barzdins, for the use of computer science in medical practice. The “Golden Owl” will also be presented to academic, the professor of RTU Dr.habil.arch. Janis Krastins, for the merits of Riga building art research and popularization.

In order to encourage young professionals to focus on science, special “Silver Owls” and monetary awards of 400 lats for each laureate are awarded to four young scientists. This year the “Silver Owl” awards are given to Ilze Adlere, who has conducted her master theses on “Synthesis of condensed heterocyclic compounds containing 1,4-dihydropyridine, and the separation of the enantiomers”, Olga Bobileva, who has conducted her master theses on “Synthesis of 6-oxo-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-3-carboxylic acid”, Aiga Grandane, who has conducted her master theses on “Synthesis of 1,2-benzoxatine-2 ,2-dioxide derivatives substituted at the sixth position” and Liga Zuka, who has conducted her master theses on “Synthesis of cationic amphiphilic β-enaminoester’s derivatives and their properties”.

Chairman of the Board of JSC Grindeks fund “For the Support of Science and Education” Kirovs Lipmans: “Today Grindeks and Latvian Academy of Sciences notes the joint success of work and science! By giving away the prestigious “Owl” awards, the scientists are honoured and example of successful and long term collaboration between the Latvian pharmaceutical company and science is confirmed. Innovation must go hand in hand with business, in particular, it is essential for industry such as pharmaceuticals, where the new solutions are constantly sought to improve the quality of human life and health! I express my deepest appreciation to the remarkable scientists, who receive the “Gold” awards this year and I am wholeheartedly delighted that the amount of Latvian scientists is increasing by new and knowledgeable specialists!”

LAS and JSC Grindeks cooperation began in 4 June 1998 by signing the agreement on mutual cooperation. It was the first cooperation agreement with the enterprise that began scientific patronage in Latvia. First awards – “Golden Owls” and “Silver Owls” were presented at the end of the same year. The prestigious award and monetary prize are presented every two years. Since 1998, 76 prominent and new scientists have been honoured. Many young scientists, that received the awards and did not have the doctors’ degree at the time, have obtained the doctors degree throughout these years and are successfully working in science.

About JSC Grindeks fund “Fort the Support of Science and Education”

JSC Grindeks fund “For the Support of Science and Education” was set up in 2006 with the aim of supporting and promoting the professional growth and education of specialists in the field of engineering, natural sciences, pharmaceuticals and medicine. Since its existence, Grindeks fund has awarded scholarships and awards, as well as supported contributory projects by more than 430 thousand lats. Additional information about the fund (in Latvian) – www.grindeksfonds.lv.